The American Civil War, often referred to by Southerners as the War of Northern Aggression or simply the War Between the States was fought between 1861 and 1865. There is great controversy about the reasons for this war and why Americans were willing to fight and die for a cause they believed. The war claimed more American lives than all of the other wars in the history of this nation. So, why did the South seceed? What were the arguments that boiled over and resulted in war?
As descendants of those Conferderates, we take pride in our ancestors. We face continual heckling and arguments, many of which are short sided and based more on emotion than fact. We are more than willing and dedicated to explore, discuss and educate the public on the tradgedy that ALL Americans suffered.
There are State chapters in nearly every one of the 50 states and several foreign countries. That might seem strange, but in reality, many who believed in the Confederate cause moved all across the fledgling nation and to other parts of the world as hostilities came to an end.
It is important to note that President Andrew Johnson issued a final, unconditional pardon and amnesty for all participants in the rebellion on December 25, 1868. Thus, they truly are all American.
“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.”
–George Orwell
American history has often been weaponized as a form of propaganda throughout the centuries, especially in recent decades. The past has continually been rewritten by the media, politicians, and hordes of supposed intellectuals to fit an ever-changing set of values and beliefs, relying upon distortions, and a lack of knowledge among the general population to get away with their own version of history.
The American people who helped form and fuel the Confederacy, viewed centralized power as the potential of an empire capable of replacing the values, and our God from the land that our forefathers fought and died for.
Why are there so many Confederate Veterans buried in the State of Indiana?
Throughout the war, Hoosiers were denied a political voice in their own state, in violation of the Constitution of Indiana and of the United States of America. Governor Oliver P. Morton actively ignored and then suppressed the state legislature, because the majority of elected state officials were supportive of the pro-peace Democrats. Governor Morton used armed troops to break up peaceful political events of those who did not follow his party line, including the deployment of soldiers to the Democratic state convention in Indianapolis. This caused Hoosier to join the Confederacy even though their State did not follow suit.
At the end of the war, native-born Confederate veterans returned to Indiana and thousands of Southern transplants came to make Indiana home, bringing their values, ideals, and culture to the state.
The Indiana Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has an important role in not only serving the descendants of Confederate soldiers who came to Indiana after the devastation of the war, but also in promoting a better understanding of the history of the Hoosier state to our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members.What we hope to present through this site is truth, facts and a general interest in accurate historical presentation. It is a history that might shock and surprise you.
It is therefore the goal of the Indiana Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to honorably commemorate the memory of those who fought for freedom and self-determination in the Confederate military. The descendants of Hoosiers who went off to fight, and Southerners who live here now, are called to unite together to protect the legacy of our ancestors. Those who do not have Confederate ancestors but who support our mission are also called to join us to help keep a true history alive.
If you want to read more about the history of Indiana and its close relations to the Confederate States of America, CLICK HERE to download a .pdf written by an Indiana Division SCV member.